Summary of doctoral thesis in biology: Research on medicinal plant resources to propose solutions for conservation and sustainable use of some valuable species in Na Hang Nature Reserve,

The goal of the dissertation: To study and evaluate the current status of medicinal plant resources in Na Hang Nature Reserve, Tuyen Quang provinceto propose solutions for conservation and sustainable development of some valuable species

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

AND TRAINING

VIETNAM ACADEMYOF SCIENCE AND

TECHNOLOGY

GRADUATE UNIVERSITYOF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

NGUYEN THI HAI NGUYỄNTHỊ HẢI

RESEARCH ON MEDICINAL PLANT RESOURCES TOPROPOSESOLUTIONS FORCONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USEOF SOME VALUABLE SPECIES IN NA HANG NATURE RESERVE,

TUYEN QUANG PROVINCE

Major: Botany Code: 9.42.01.11

SUMMARY OF DOCTORAL THESIS IN BIOLOGY

HaNoi – 2018

The dissertationwas completed at the Graduate University of Science and Technology-

Vietnam Academy ofScience and Technology

Supervisors: 1 PGS TS Trần Huy Thái

1 Assoc Prof Dr Tran Huy Thai

2 Assoc Prof Dr Nguyen Tien Dat

2 PGS TS Nguyễn Tiến Đạt

Reviewer1:

Reviewer2:

Reviewer3:

The dissertation will bedefended atthe Council ofPhD Thesis Assessment held at the

Graduate University of Science and Technologyat , on……… 2018

Thesis can be further referredat National Library of Vietnam, Library of Graduate

University of Science and Technology

INTRODUCTION

1 The necessity of the dissertation

Na Hang Nature Reserve was established under Decision No 274/UB-QD dated 9th May 1994 by the People's Committee of Tuyen Quang province About 68% of the area is tropical moist forests Of these, about 70% are limestone forest, and the rest are lowland evergreen forest In 2006, Nguyen Nghia Thin and his colleagues identified and listed 1,162 species of plants in the Na Hang Nature Reserve, many of them were listed in the Vietnam

Red Data Book (2007) such as Garcinia fragraeoides, Excentrodendron tonkinense,

Chukrasia tabularis, Markhamia stipulata etc

Beside the research resultsof some authors at the Forest Inventory and Planning Institute, Birdlife International program; Nguyen Nghia Thin and Dang Quyet Chien (2006); Nguyen Anh Tuan et al (2012); so far, there is no comprehensive research on medicinal plant resources, especially the promising species in Na Hang Nature Reserve On the other hand, medicinal plant resources in Na Hang Nature Reserve are becoming increasingly scarce, some of which are endangered due toindiscriminate and planless exploitation and

The potential and prospects of medicinal plant resources and indigenous knowledge of indigenous peoples in Na Hang Nature Reserve are plentiful and varied; But these studies are few and far from complete Research on the scientific basis for conserving, restoring and sustainably using the diversity of medicinal plants in Na Hang Nature Reserve, Tuyen Quang province, is an urgent, critical issue scientific significance and high economic and

social value Based on this situation, the author conducted the study "Research on medicinal plant resources to propose solutions for conservation and sustainable use of some valuable species in Na Hang Nature Reserve, Tuyen Quang province"

2 The goal of the dissertation

To study and evaluate the current status of medicinal plant resources in Na Hang Nature Reserve, Tuyen Quang provinceto propose solutions for conservation and sustainable development of some valuable species

3 The scientific and practical significance of the dissertation

* Scientific significance: The results of the research will contribute to supplement the

data on the current distribution of medicinal plants and propose measures to preserve biodiversity of plant resources

* Practical significance: The result of the research is the scientific basis for the

agencies in management, production and business to make policies for development, investment in production, creating a stable source of pharmaceutical raw materials and sustainable use; at the same time, effective conservation of species of high potential and value; Research results on screening biologically active species will contribute to the development of new dmedicineproduction

4 The composition of the dissertation

The dissertation consists of 146 pages: Introduction - 02 pages; Chapter 1: Overview

of research issues - 32 pages; Chapter 2: Subjects, contents and methods of research - 11 pages; Chapter 3: Research Results and Discussion - 86 pages; Conclusions and recommendations - 02 pages; References - 11 pages

CHAPTER 1 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH ISSUES 1.1 Resource of medicinal plants in the world

1.1.1 History of research on medicinal plant resources in the world

Medicinal herbs were developed as a Chinese cultural tradition from about 5000 years ago (2,737 BC - 2,697 BC) The earliest known Sumarian genealogical record-writing

knowledge was written in hieroglyphics in 2000 BC "Materia Medica" recorded details of

the effects of 250 medicinal plants India is also a country with a long tradition of using medicinal herbs The earliest recorded record of the use of medicinal plants was found in the

book of Rig - Vedas around 4500 - 1600 BC, which is considered to be the oldest book on

the use of medicinal plants in human history Today, more than 8.000 plant species are known to be used in India

Not only in Asia, using medicinal herbs is appeared in European countries long time ago In Africa, the earliest written records on the use of medicinal plants were recorded by ancient Egyptians over 3.600 years ago, with about 800 remedies and over 700 medicinal

plants, including Aloe vera, Cannabisetc

1.1.2 Assessment of the value and economic value of medicinal plant resources in the world

1.1.2.1 Assessment of the use value of medicinal plant resources

Worldwide, it is estimated that up to 70.000 species of plants are used in folklore WHO reports that more than 21.000 plant species have been used for health care India used about 7.500 species By 1997, China used more than 6.000 species In Africa, more than 5.000 plant species are used for medical purposes In Europe, with a long tradition in the use of plants, about 2.000 medicinal herbs and aromatic spices are used in commerce

1.1.2.2 Assessment of the economic value of medicinal plant resources

On a global scale, sales of medicinal plants are estimated to be around 16 billion euros a year In the 1990s, the annual import turnover of medicinal plants averaged over 4.000 tons, valued at $ 1.224 million Of this figure, 80% of import and export value is from 12 countries in Asia and Europe Japan and South Korea are the two countries that consume the most medicinal plants China and India are the leading providers of medicinal plants; Hong Kong and the US are important trade centers

Many medicinal plants are not only exploited for local use but also for exporting throughout the world A large number of medicinal plants in Asia and Africa, in addition to being harvested for domestic use, are also used for export Up to 80% of medicinal plants are exported from Asian countries Demand for medicinal plants increases by 15 - 25% annually and according to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is estimated that by

2050 the demand for medicinal plants will increase by more than $ 5 trillion

1.1.3 Research on the experience of using medicinal plants of the peoples of the world

Survey and study of medicinal plants together with traditional knowledge on medicinal plants, indigenous experience in the use of medicinal plants associated with biodiversity conservation, preservation of cultural valueswhich are attracting attention in most countries around the world

1.2 Overview of medicinal plant resources in Vietnam

1.2.1 History of research on medicinal plant resources in Vietnam

Vietnam has many researches such as: Hai Thuong Lan Ong - Le Huu Trac (1720 - 1791), Crévost and Pétel (1928 - 1935), Do Tat Loi (1957), Vu Van Chuyen (1966), Nguyen Nghia Thin, La Dinh Moi et al (2005) …

1.2.2 Overview of use value and economic value of medicinal plant resources in Vietnam

According to the statistics of the health sector, each yearwe consume from 30.000 - 50.000 tons of different medicinal herbs In Vietnam in recent years, each year has exported from 5.000 to nearly 10.000 tons of pharmaceuticals, valued at about $15 million In addition, export some semi-active ingredients as active ingredients such as Berberin, palmatin, rotundin, rutin, Some businesses have exported drug substance such

as Artemisinin, artesunate, and many other Oriental drugs

1.2.3 Study on the experience of using medicinal plants of different ethnic groups in Vietnam

In Vietnam, there are researches on medicinal plants that specialize the area such as: Peoples of Tay, Dao, H'Mong in Ba Be National Park (Bac Kan); San Diu National Park in Tam Dao National Park (Vinh Phuc); Dao in Ba Vi (Ha Tay); Muong in Cuc Phuong; Tay and Dao in Yen Ninh and Yen Do communes, Phu Luong district (Thai Nguyen); Cao Lan

in Doi Can, Yen Son district (Tuyen Quang province); Muong (Thanh Hoa); Thai (Nghe An),

1.2.4 Studies on the flora and medicinal plants in Na Hang

The studies on botanyin Na Hang are not abundant In addition to the publication of Mike Hill & Nevill Kemp (1996), Nguyen Nghia Thin, Dang Quyet Chien (2006); Nguyen Anh Tuan and Tran Huy Thai (2012); Phan Ke Loc, Pham Van The, L.V Averyanov et al (2013)… almost no analysis on the systematic research on medicinal plants

1.3 The issues of conservation and research on propagation of medicinal plant resources

Biodiversity conservation, especially of plant species, is a global issue, not just for nations but for international organizations (IUCN, WWF, FAO, WHO, etc.) According to Akerele (1991), the problem of preserving medicinal plants in countries is the recognition and preservation of the value of using them in the national medicine Referring to the preservation of threatened medicinal plants, Hamann (1991) also argues that there is no other way but to understand the distribution of the medicinal plants to establish internal

conservation areas (in - situ) conservation and external conservation or (ex - situ)

conservation

Biodiversity conservation in general and conservation of medicinal plants in particular, associated with the conservation of indigenous knowledge in Vietnam have been receiving special attention

* Propagation by cuttings

Cutting is a methodof asexualpropagation which has a large multiplication coefficient, which maintains good character of the mother plant and is relatively inexpensive It is widely used in breeding of plants, ornamental trees and fruit trees

* Seed propagation

Seed propagation is a traditional and natural breeding method, which gives high propagation and can be stored and transported easily The decisive factor for seed propagation efficiency is the quality of seed

1.4 Medicinal plants and anti-cancer activity from medicinal plants

The therapeutic effects of medicinal plants are fromnatural compounds that were synthesized and accumulated Currently, around 3.000 plant species in the world are reported to contain compounds that have anti-cancer activity The American Cancer Research Institute collected 35.000 plant samples from 20 different countries and screened about 114.000 extracts with anti-cancer activity

In Vietnam, in recent years, research on medicinal plants which are capable of treating cancer has also been considered Numerous studies on antitumor activity have been

published; however, studies on two species of Mallotus microcarpus and Miliusa sinensis

are very few

1.5 Natural conditions, socio - economic conditions of Na Hang Nature Reserve

Geographic coordinates: From 22014' - 22035' north latitude; East longitude

104017' - 105035 The total area of this special use forest is 22,401.5 hectares and is located

in four communes of Thanh Tuong, Son Phu, Khau Tinh, Con Lon and Na Hang town

The climate is in the tropical monsoon region of Northeast Vietnam and is characterized by the high mountain climate The year is divided into two distinct seasons, with the following characteristics: Summer usually starts from April to September, hot and humid climate, heavy rain; winter is cold and dry, lasts from October to March next year; average annual temperature is 23.5°C; Average rainfall: 1.400 – 1.600 mm There are two large river systems: Nang River and Gam River

There are 52 villages in the 4 communes and Na Hang town, 3,916 households/10,081 households (accounting for 38.84% of the total households in the district) There are four main ethnic groups: Tay, Kinh, Dao and H'mong The remaining ethnic groups such as Cao Lan, Han

Agricultural production is mainly one-crop rice production, average grain is low The area also develops grass-feeding animals and make use of local sources to feed breeding pigs, chicken, ducks Forestry production is mainly managing the protection of existing

forest resources

There is a district general hospital in Na Hang Town; 5 commune health stations; there are 46 villages/52 villages having village health workers There are 5 kindergartens with 26 school sites; 5 primary schools with 27 school sites; 5 junior high schools, 1 high school Na Hang town is a political, economic and cultural center of Na Hang district, which has been invested with many projects for economic, cultural and social development of the locality

CHAPTER 2 SUBJECTS, CONTENTS AND METHODOLOGY OF RESEARCH

2.1 Subjects, location and time of research

2.1.1 Research subjects

Medicinal plants in Na Hang Nature Reserve and its vicinity

2.1.2 Location and time of research

Investigation, study and survey in Na Hang Nature Reserve, mainly in Thanh Tuong, Son Phu and Khau Tinh communes, Na Hang district, Tuyen Quang province

Specimens were researched, analyzed and stored in the Plant Propagation Chamber

of the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources - Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.Empirical studies on chemistry and biological activity were conducted in the laboratory of bioactive compounds, Institute of Marine Chemistry - Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology

Time of research: From 2014 to 2016

2.2 Contents of research

- Research on medicinal plant resources in Na Hang Nature Reserve, Na Hang district, Tuyen Quang province: Diversity of medicinal plant resources; Diversity of

medicinal plants used by Tay and Dao ethnic communities in Na Hang Nature Reserve

- Biological Activity Test and Chemical Structure Analysis: Screening biological

activity; Research on chemical composition and biological activity of sample TQ02

(Mallotus microcarpus Pax & K Hoffm) and biological activity of sample TQ13 (Miliusa

sinensis Fin & Gagnep.)

- Solutions for conservation, development and sustainable use of valuable species at

Na Hang Nature Reserve, Na Hang District, Tuyen Quang Province: Medicinal plants with potential for development; Propagation potentials of two medicinal plants with potential of exploitation and use; Proposing solutions for preservation and development of some medicinal plants in Na Hang Nature Reserve

2.3 Research Methodology

2.3.1 Inheritance method

Inheriting documents related to the field of study: List of plant species in Vietnam; Dictionary of Vietnamese medicinal plants; Medicinal plants and medicinal animals in Vietnam; Plant diversity of Na Hang Nature Reserve, Tuyen Quang province…

2.3.2 Method of collection, processing and identification of samples

- Method of collection and processing of samples: According to Nguyen Nghia Thin

(1997, 2007)

- Identification of scientific names: Using the morphologiccomparison method, based

on: Handbook for searching and recognizing angiosperm families in Vietnam; Flora of Vietnam; Flora in Vietnam; List of plants of Vietnam, Volume I, II, III; Dictionary of medicinal plants in Vietnam

2.3.3 Method of assessing the diversity of medicinal plant resources

To assess the diversity of medicinal plant resources of Na Hang Nature Reserve, based

on Nguyen Nghia Thin (1997) assessment method, such as: Diversity of taxon levels (divisions, classes, families, species), at the same time identifying the diverse indicators, as well as their life forms

Disease groups are classified according to Le Tran Duc (1995) "Vietnamese medicinal

plants for the processing and initial treatment" and Decision No 3465/QD-BYT dated July 08,

2016

2.3.4 Evaluation method for preserving gene source of medicinal plants

The status of species is evaluated according to the criteria of Decree 32/2006/ND-CP, Red List of medicinal plants (2006), Red Book of Vietnam (2007), IUCN Red List (2014)

2.3.5 Method of mapping the distribution of rare and precious plant species

The geographic map of Na Hang Nature Reserve is based on a 1:50.000 topographical map; National coordinates VN2000 The data is updated to 2015 from satellite imagery including information layers such as topography (road level), traffic, residential areas, hydrology, administrative boundaries

2.3.6 Method of researching plant medicine of the minority groups

In the process of community research, an ethnobotanical survey was used, with tools such as the Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) and the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) PRA methodology is conducted in two ways: using some questions for selected group of people or researchers and interviewers

For the survey of medicinal plants, medicinal products used by two Tay and Dao ethnic groups in Na Hang Nature Reserve: Survey sites of three typical communes: Thanh Tuong, Son Phu and Khau Tinh were selected In each commune, 15 people of Tay and Dao ethnic groups were selected to conduct interviews, including: the elderly, middle-aged and young, both men and women; Tay ethnic group: interviewed over 30 people, Dao ethnic group: Interviewed over 15 people Each responded to 20 votes

Investigating the exploitation, yield, market price, harvesting time ofmedicinal plants used for medicine:It was conducted with 30 people: those who go to forest for exploiting and gathering medicinal plants; local traders or local marketers (local traders); local physicians who use medicinal plants to make medicines (members of the Traditional Medicine Association of Na Hang district) in the study area

2.3.7 Propagation method of some main medicinal plants

2.3.7.1 Asexual propagation method

Vegetative propagation is done by cutting different types from tubers Vegetative

propagation (Tacca chantrieri Andre) and branches (Fibraurea tinctoria Lour.) collected

from naturally grown trees Experiments include:

a Effects of season and cuttings on survival capacity and rooting from cuttings:

seasons are defined as Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter; Cuttings include: top cuttings, trunk

cuttings and cuttings from tubers and branches Each test formula was 30 cuttings; Repeat 3

times in 3 different gardens Data were recorded once in 60 days with both species

b Effects of growth regulators and their concentrations on the survival and rooting

rate of cuttings: Growth regulators used in the experiments were: α-NAA (α-napthilene

acetic acid), IBA (Indol butyric acid), IAA (Indole Acetic Acid); with 3 types of

concentration: 1.000ppm; 1.500ppm and 2.000ppm, the control plot not using growth

regulator The experiment was arranged in 10 formulas

2.3.7.2 Method of sexual propagation

Tacca chantrieri Andre: Seeds are sown on moist sand, avoid direct sunlight;

Simultaneously with the experiments on petri dishes under laboratory conditions Each

experiment sowed 100 seeds The experiments were repeated three times, monitoring seed

germination time Total number of seeds in the experiment: 100 seeds/formula x 2 formula

x 3 replicates = 600 seeds

Fibraurea tinctoria Lour.: Seeds are sown by 3 methods of seed treatment

(3 formulas) as follows:

+ Formula 1: Sowing seeds in moist sand

+ Formula 2: Soaking the seeds in warm water at 400C for 10 hours, then sowing in moist

sand

+ Formula 3: Soaking the seeds in water for 10 hours and then sowing in moist sand

Each formula has 3 replicates, each repeats with 30 seeds Total seeds in experiment:

30 seeds/formula x 3 formula x 3 replicates = 270 seeds

Care and maintenance: Daily watering, regular monitoring and careful protection

2.3.7.3 Method of data collection

- Experiment on vegetative propagation: Supervising and recording: Number of live

cuttings, number of cuttings with germ; number of cuttings producing roots - number of

roots, average length of root, same effect of cuttings on survival rate, ability to germinate

and produce root

- Experiment on sexual propagation: Monitoring indicators (number of days seeds

start to germinate, number of seeds germinated completely, number of seeds germinated…,

number of days for seedlings to standard transplanted)…

- Monitoring the emergence of young seedlings during the nursery stage: Indicators

of measurement include: Statistics of live trees on the total number of trees arranged in each

iteration Measuring the root diameter (D00) by panme ruler with a precision rate to 1/10mm,

measuring the height by the meter carved to mm (topheight - Hvn)

2.3.8 Testing the in vitro biological activity (cytotoxic and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, α-amylase) of some common and potential species

2.3.8.1 Creating a crude extract: Methanol extraction solvent The plant samples

were soaked with solvent three times in ultrasonic tanks at 40°C for 30 minutes The extracts were then collected and stored in high yield crude extracts

2.3.8.2 Biological Activity Testing Method

Evaluation of active cancer cell resistance: Cancer cell lines include: Human lung

cancer (A-549, H1975), breast cancer (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231), pancreatic cancer PANC1), prostate cancer (DU145) is provided by GS Jeong-Hyung Lee, Kangwon National University, Korea Cancer cells are cultured in vitro by the method of Mosmann et al

Evaluation of α-amylase inhibitory activity: α-amylase inhibitory activity was

determined by the coloring reaction of starch Azure (blue starch) with water

Evaluation of α-glucosidase inhibitory activity: α-glucosidase inhibitory activity is

based on the hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (pNPG) to glucose and p-nitrophenol, the compound is yellow, under the catalytic enzyme α-glucosidase

2.3.8.3 Method of extraction and isolation of compounds

- Isolation of purified substances by chromatographic methods:

+ Thin-layer chromatography was performed on DC-Alufolien 60 F254 silica gel and RP-18 F254 coated plates Detect the substance line by UV light 254 and 368 nm, and spray 10% H2SO4 on the plate and heat it slowly until the color appears

+ Common phase column chromatography (silica gel 230-400 mesh, Merck), reversed phase (RP-18, YMC ODS), ion exchange resin (Dianion HP20) or particle size adsorbate (Sephadex LH20)

- Determine the structure of the molecules by modern spectroscopic methods including infrared absorption spectrophotometry (IR), ultraviolet (UV) absorption spectrometry, one-dimensional and two-dimensional magnetic resonance spectra (1D and 2D-NMR), mass spectrometry (MS) and high resolution (HRMS)

2.3.8.4 Method of determining the structure of compounds

The general method for determining the chemical structure of compounds is the combination of the determination of physical parameters with modern spectroscopic methods

2.3.9 Data analysis

All data processed on Excel, expressed as mean ± SE Student's t-test, F'test and one-way analysis of variance (one way ANOVA) were used to examine significant differences from the negative control, with P <0.05 is statistically significant

CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 3.1 Research on medicinal plant resources in Na Hang Nature Reserve, Tuyen Quang province

3.1.1 Diversity of medicinal plant resources in Na Hang Nature Reserve

Research results at Na Hang Nature Reserve, Tuyen Quang province identified 647 plant species recorded for use in medicine, belonging to 443 genera, 137 families, 4 vascular plant divisions; (Lycopodiophyta) division has 3 species belonging to 2 families; The (Polypodiophyta) division has 20 species of 12 families; Pine (Pinophyta) divisionhas 6 species of 4 families; (Magnoliophyta) division has 618 species of 119 families The topic has inherited from author Nguyen Nghia Thin 467 species and added to list of medicinal plants in Na Hang Nature Reserve added 180 species (accounting for 27.8%)

3.1.1.1 Diversity of taxonomies in the division

The diversity of medicinal plants in the study area is not only reflected in the large number of taxon but also in the distribution of taxon in each division The number of specific taxon in each plant divisionis shown in Table 3.1:

Table 3.1: Distribution of medicinal plants of each plant divisionin Na Hang Nature Reserve

of total families)

In Magnoliophyta, Magnoliopsida predominated with 505 species (81.72%), 336 genera (81.95%), and 94 families (78.99%) Liliopsida was slightly lower, with 113 species (18.28%), 74 genera (18.05%) and 25 families (21.01%) (Table 3.2)

Table 3.2: Distribution of taxon (class, family, genera, species) in Magnoliophyta division

Quantity Rate (%) Quantity Rate (%) Quantity Rate (%)

Table 3.3 Diversity indicators of eachdivisionof the medicinal plants in Na Hang Nature

10 families of medicinal plants are also among the richest and most abundant in the flora of Vietnam

3.1.1.3 Diversity of genera

In Na Hang Nature Reserve, the distribution of medicinal plants in the genera is

uneven The least genera haveone species (Lycopodium, Duabanga, Manglietia, Costus,

etc.) The total number of 10 most diverse genera has 60 species, accounting for 9.29% of

total species Genera Ficus (Moraceae) is the most diverse genera with 15 species,

accounting for 2.32% of total species The remaining genus contains 4 to 7 species

3.1.1.4 Genetic resources of rare medicinal plants need to be protected

In Na Hang Nature Reserve, there are 29 rare and precious species of medicinal

plants that are prioritized for conservation: 9 species listed in Group IIA under Decree

32/2006/ND-CP; 22 species listed in the Vietnam Red Data Book (2007), 15 species at

Vulnerable - VU, 07 species in Endangered - EN); 17 species listed in the Vietnam Red

List, 10 species classified as Vulnerable - VU; 6 species classified as Endangered - EN and

01 species classified as Critically Endangered - CR; 07 species are listed in the IUCN Red

List (2014) (06 species are classified as least Endangered, one is Vulnerable - VU)

3.1.1.5 Developing a map of distribution of some rare and precious plant species

Species data were recorded at Na Hang Nature Reserve through field surveys

Information on species composition is entered in the form of excel sheets with species-specific information such as species number, species name, family name,

Vietnamese name, location and administrative boundaries, survey time A map of the

distribution of rare and precious plants of 1/50.000 species was established on the basis of

the compilation of background information and information on species composition

collected through field surveys

3.1.2 Diversity of medicinal plants used by the two Tay and Dao ethnic groups in Na

Hang Nature Reserve, Tuyen Quang Province

3.1.2.1 Medicinal plant composition used by two Tay and Dao ethnic groups in Na

Hang Nature Reserve

The composition of medicinal plants used by compatriots of the Tay and Dao ethnic

groups is shown in Table 3.8: Tay people use 223 species of medicinal plants, belonging to

4 vascular plantdivisions, mainly Magnoliophyta, there are 76/84 families (accounting for

90.5% of the total family); 167/176 genera (94.9% of total genera) and 213 species The

number of medicinal plants used by Dao ethnic minorities is also less than that of

Magnoliophyta There are 64/72 families, accounting for 88.9% of total families, 127/139

genera (93.4% of total genera) and 154 species Table 3.8 shows that there are 71 families,

130 genera and 151 species shared by both Tay and Dao ethnic groups This proves that due

to living conditions, there should be interaction, exchange and sharing not only of culture

but also of the use of medicinal plants and medicine in the treatment of diseases among

ethnic groups in the same living area